Hicksville council approves ordinance banning recreational marijuana businesses

The Hicksville Village Council voted Sept. 16 to adopt Ordinance 2024-15, which prohibits the establishment and operation of recreational marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries within village limits. The ordinance was given a final reading by caption and approved in a council roll call.

Council recorded Rob Bailey as the member who made the motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Toni Egly. The minutes record the roll-call tally as Bailey, Ron Beverly and Eric Bassett voting no and Egly, Kent Miller and Charlie Martin voting yes; Mayor Michael Barth cast the tie-breaking yes vote. The ordinance was recorded as approved.

The vote drew a procedural clarification during discussion when Council member Ron Beverly asked whether a "yes" vote meant opposing marijuana businesses in Hicksville; he was told yes. The minutes do not record extended debate or additional public testimony on the ordinance in this meeting.

The solicitor read the ordinance by caption only; the minutes do not list a fiscal impact analysis or any implementing regulations tied to the vote. The village clerk or solicitor will likely be the next step for drafting any implementing language or zoning amendments required to enforce the new prohibition.

Note on minutes: The council minutes record that Rob Bailey made the motion to approve and also list him among those who voted no. That is an internal inconsistency in the meeting minutes as recorded; the article reports both the motion and the recorded votes exactly as they appear in the minutes rather than reconciling the discrepancy.